DG Files

Reflections on Dark Tek in the Great Outdoors

What can I say? This article was was created to explore some of the possibilities of an 'alien technology' entering mainstream steam use. Personally I think camping and the outdoor manufacturing companys will be the first to embrace any new technology that comes on the market. Anything that makes the outdoors more convient to the regular joe, and more efficient to the professional is seen as a valid marketing point. In fact a number of the low weight, high strenght components that are used today are results of NASA advances, who is to say what new and interesting items might arise if we discover new elements and metals?


Darktek in the Great
By Marcus Bone

As we all know technology is a growth industry. What is the smallest, fastest and best today quickly becomes second best as quickly as tomorrow. In the Dark Conspiracy world we do not only get to predict the advances mankind will take in the next twenty years, but also have another factor to take into account… the presence of ETs. These alien beings have access to the highest levels of technology, and possess skills and knowledge that man can only dream of.

As we have seen in the Darktek sections of the Dark Conspiracy rule books, there has been ample opportunity for the ETs and man to combine their skills and resources to product artifacts and machinery, which has been, up to now, out of mans grasp. Many of these devices are aimed at harming earth and its population, while others have been created solely for the greater good. Slowly but surely the technological gains discovered in these multi-million dollar Labs begin to filter down to the common populous, now in forms which are aimed at making life for the average man more convenient. In our modern world we see this, technology created originally for government or military purposes finding its way into our day to day life. One example is Electronic Mail or E-mail, starting life as a piece of military technology now it is in the hands of us regular Joes, and if I may add becoming more and more important in the way in which our life's are run. My point in all this is that in the Dark Conspiracy world we will also see examples of these technological gains in nor-mal everyday items. Granted that they may not be cheap or nor may they be that common, but that they would be known to exist and have proven advantages for those that can afford them. One such area that I believe would gain much from a union of advanced technologies would be the world of outdoor apparel, which today is leaps and bounds more advanced than it has barely ten years ago. The advantages the ET knowledge could bring to Outdoor Equipment could be quite substantial, making clothing better resistant to the elements, creating lighter and stronger tents and rafts, and adding much to the chances of Outdoor survival.

Below are some of the items that may be created by a combined Xenalogical endeavor. They might form part of a Dark plot, or they could used solely to make the characters lives easier. This list of Equipment neither comprehensive nor complete but rather just a guide on how the World of Dark Conspiracy can hold a myriad of different surprises.

Sectra-Light Sleeping Bag
Extremely light sleeping bag created by the masters of Outdoor Pursuits "Sectra". This little beauty weighs under half a Kg, while fitting into a bag not much greater than your hand. On top of all that it is guaranteed to temperatures up to -20 degrees Celsius, and is non-flammable. The key to the size and weight is the new vacuum action pump which is smaller than a bottle-top, when activated this little whiz removes all the air from the bag, and keeps it out, ensuring you a nice small package.
Weight - 0.5kg
Price - $250 (C/V)

Heat Torch
The latest in technology is now available to you, the public consumer. First manufactured for the military this wonder of lighting now comes cheaply to you home. Ever reached for a torch only to find its batteries dead, or having the bulbs break when it is accidentally dropped. Now with the Heat Torch you can replace all conventional portable light sources. How does this piece of wondrous Technology work you ask? Well… with the use of the fabulous heat converter simply holding the specially made handle the heat produced by you hand alone is turned into light. As long as you hand produces any warmth, and is in contact with the torch handle light will continue to be emitted from this technological breakthrough. Its special lens means the end to everyday light bulbs, unbreakable, even unscratchable it will last for twenty years minimum, and that's guaranteed. The Heat Torch comes in many different sizes and shapes, from pocketsize through to the large all purposes utility.
Weight - 0.2kg through to 5kg
Price - $50 - $250 (C/V)

Sectra Ultrasafe Survival Dome
Gone are the days of living life in the Outdoors in the cold and wet, as "Sectra" tech tents. In fact it is more than just a tent, it is a survival dome built to with-stand the rigors of any conditions. Tested on the unforgiving slopes of Mount Everest, the Ultrasafe is a proven winner, keeping its occupancies alive for ten days with no outside help. The 'Sectra Ultrasafe' offers you the latest, a fully sealed environment with its own Carbon Dioxide filter, good for 500 hours, a heat generated light source, which is an advance on the Heat Torch, and a unusually well padded skin which can resist up to million pounds pressure per square inch. If you don't believe us, just ask Mountain Climber Jean-Claude Turane who survived 6 days buried under an avalanche, to be rescued a safe and sound, if only a little hungry. The 'Ultra-safe' comes in either the one or two-man version, and can be fitted with optional extras including the 'Vermillion' Space-heater, and 'Maxwell' Liquid Recycler.
Weight - 9.2kg (One man), 12.5kg (Twoman). Plus 10kg for the optional extras.
Price - $1250 (One man), $1750 (Twoman). Plus $1500 for the optional extras. (S/C)

'Maxwell' Cling Boots &Gloves
Gone are the days were ones hands are the best way to climb any surface. With 'Maxwell' Cling accessories you can ascend even the most difficult slopes with a minimal of effort. The Cling technology uses a special material, which molds itself with any surface it comes in contact with allowing an excellent bond between the boot or glove and the ground. This bond acts with a vacuum action giving the climber a solid and secure surface on which they rely. To release the bond between Boot or glove and the climbing surface is a simple matter of relaxing the muscles in that limb; this quickly becomes second nature to an experienced climber and allows for rapid ascent. Please be warned however that the Cling accessories do not allow for vertical ascent on very smooth surfaces, as the principles involved are only an enhancement of the human climbing ability. Also please note that rough surfaces such as asphalt can over prolonged periods de-story the Cling surface. In Game terms the use of both of these items allows any climbing roll to be taken at one difficulty level lower than the situation determines and the chance to reroll any failures. The use of just one allows only a reroll.
Weight - Neg.
Price - $200 (Gloves), $400(Boots) (C/C)

Ignition Sticks
These are the little wonders of the New World. Gone are matches, lighters or any other fire starters, Ignition Sticks are about to make all these redundant. By simply cracking the outside shell of one of these sticks you can produce your own portable fire. Incredibly the flames produced by the Stick can last up to 10 hours and yet can be extinguished by normal water. Also the Ignition Stick requires no other fuel, consuming itself, this means no more risk of starting uncontrollable fires nor is time wasted by collecting wood for the camp. Amazingly these small sticks, which is no longer than 20 centimeters in length and 5 in diameter, can produce heat and light to the equivalent to that of a camp fire. WARNING - For Outdoor use only and keep out of the hand of children. Directions for Use - Stand by the spot that you wish to create as a campfire, ensuring that you have fully enclosed this space with a nonflammable material e.g. rock. Shake the Ignition Stick and then crack the end against a hard surface. The stick will now make a low-pitched whine, immediately place the Stick in the desired location, and step away. Within 5 seconds the Stick should ignite and will be at peak performance within thirty (30) seconds.
Weight - 0.1kg
Price - $5 each

Demonground Homepage

Darktek Camping Equipment
List of some of my DEMONGROUND articles

  1. NPC- Crazy Charlie

  2. Dark Minion - The Gatherers

  3. Editorial - Rhythm & Roleplaying

  4. Dark Tek - The Great Outdoors

  5. Fiction - Early One Morning

  6. Fiction - Missed

Issue 8 of DG coming soon!!


Demonground Files | Narratives of Horror |  Dark Perils | Other Domains | SPECIAL PROJECTS           Dateline Earth | Index



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